EASA AD US-2025-02-05
Landing Gear - Outer Cylinders - Replacement
Summary
The Federal Register document titled "Landing Gear - Outer Cylinders - Replacement" is a final rule airworthiness directive (AD 2025-02-05) issued by the FAA affecting all Boeing Model 747 series airplanes including 747-100, 747-200, 747-300, 747-400, 747SP, and 747SR variants. The AD addresses a safety issue related to improper inner diameter grinding of landing gear outer cylinders that may cause heat damage to the nose, body, and wing landing gear outer cylinders. This directive mandates the replacement of any affected outer cylinders to ensure continued airworthiness.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces a mandatory replacement requirement for affected landing gear outer cylinders on specified Boeing 747 models due to heat damage from improper grinding. It clarifies affected serial numbers and confirms ongoing compliance obligations without adding a separate parts installation prohibition. The AD incorporates Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-32A2535 RB dated January 22, 2024, as the procedural reference.
Why It Matters
This AD is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses a structural safety risk that could lead to landing gear failure and potential loss of airplane control or runway departure. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure affected parts are identified and replaced promptly to maintain regulatory compliance and flight safety. The directive also clarifies serial number identification to avoid confusion during inspections and replacements.
What To Do
Affected operators must inspect their Boeing 747 fleet for outer cylinders with specified serial numbers and replace any affected parts according to the compliance schedule in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-32A2535 RB. Compliance with this AD is mandatory by March 17, 2025. Operators should maintain records of compliance and ensure no affected parts are installed on airplanes that have already complied with the AD.